Graduates of the College of Forestry are our most valuable resource. Our alumni serve as a critical bridge between the university and the world, connecting Oregon State University and its students to communities and employers. They inspire our students to make a difference and they shape the world we live in.
This year, we honor the outstanding accomplishments of three College of Forestry alumni.

Jerry Franklin, 1959 & 1961
BS and MS Forest Management
Jerry Franklin received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in forest management at Oregon State University and a Ph.D. from Washington State University. He is a world-renowned forest ecologist who has been known as “the father of new forestry”. Working as a research forester, chief plant ecologist for the U.S. Forest Service in Corvallis and a professor of forest sciences at OSU, he was an early advocate for applying new forestry methods of ecosystems theory to the management of old growth in the Pacific Northwest. He is the leading authority on sustainable forest management and the maintenance of healthy forest ecosystems and was responsible for integrating ecological and economic values into harvest strategies. Recently, he co-authored “The Making of the Northwest Forest Plan” which discusses the events that led to the creation of the Northwest Forest Plan through the stories of scientists who crafted it.

Doug Mays, 1983
BS Forest Engineering
Doug Mays received his B.S. degree in Forest Engineering from Oregon State University’s College of Forestry and his MBA degree from OSU’s College of Business. He is a third generation Mays family member with forestry career roots starting at the COF. He recently celebrated a 40-year career with Weyerhaeuser Company, retiring in November of 2023. Throughout his career he facilitated and supported joint research projects between Weyerhaeuser and OSU, such as the Trask Watershed Study. His leadership helped advance safer, more sustainable harvesting at Weyerhaeuser and across the Pacific Northwest. In addition to his accomplished career, he has devoted himself to the forest industry – serving over 22 years on the Board of Directors for the Oregon Logging Conference, and as President of the Pacific Logging Congress in 2016. His involvement with the COF has shaped curriculum and programs while opening career paths for Weyerhaeuser students. In retirement, he still finds time to lead tours for Weyerhaeuser’s Trust Joist clients in Oregon – though his highest priority is spending time with his family at their mountain hideaway in Camp Sherman.

Jesse Paris, 2014
Ph.D Wood Materials
Jesse Paris received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Virginia Tech in Wood Science, specifically focused on renewable wood adhesives. His Ph.D. from Oregon State University was in both Wood Science and Material Science, and his research focused on wood composite interfacial interactions between substrate and adhesive at the cellular level. Jesse has been working for over 11 years with the Willamette Valley Company in Research and Development. He is currently the R&D team lead for the Biomaterials group that focuses on formulated adhesive rheology modifiers and wax products that extend raw material supply and add value to wood composite panel manufacturers and other industrial applications. Jesse lives in Eugene, OR with his wife, Chelsea, and their son Charlie. Beyond a passion for sustainable composite materials, Jesse enjoys travel, good food, good wine, and spending quality time with family and friends.